Changing the ball?

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by La Rikardo

Anyway, back to basketball, to me it wouldn't seem like a big deal to switch out a ball if a player complains that it's too hard/soft. Of course, if the ball is on the end of the spectrum one way or the other, we should probably be asking the teams' guards before the game what they think before we decide to use that ball.

No. The game of basketball is a lot more about touch and finesse than soccer. Slight changes in the ball, inflation, texture, weight, etc., even if all the changes are within the legal ranges, will have a bigger impact than the variations in a soccer ball within the legal ranges. Don't change the ball unless it is not legal.

[Rich1]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

No. The game of basketball is a lot more about touch and finesse than soccer. Slight changes in the ball, inflation, texture, weight, etc., even if all the changes are within the legal ranges, will have a bigger impact than the variations in a soccer ball within the legal ranges. Don't change the ball unless it is not legal.

Not true. The ampunt of air in a soccer ball will affect how far it flies, how fast it flies, and the spin rate on those fancy kicks you see. The reason many balls are used is because the clock does not stop when it goes out of bounds and they pay outdoors so it may take a while to get it back.

I can find no rule specifically prohibiting changing the ball but if I deemed it good to start the game we use it for the whole game. Just because one player or one team thinks it doesn't suit their game is not a valid reason to switch. Both teams will need to adapt to the ball being used.

[La Rikardo]

Originally Posted by Rich1

Not true. The ampunt of air in a soccer ball will affect how far it flies, how fast it flies, and the spin rate on those fancy kicks you see. The reason many balls are used is because the clock does not stop when it goes out of bounds and they pay outdoors so it may take a while to get it back.

I can find no rule specifically prohibiting changing the ball but if I deemed it good to start the game we use it for the whole game. Just because one player or one team thinks it doesn't suit their game is not a valid reason to switch. Both teams will need to adapt to the ball being used.

At the highest levels of soccer, all balls used absolutely must be of identical pressure, weight, and quality. In the amateur and youth competitions that make up 99.9% of the competitive soccer played in the United States, we're not so worried about it. The difference between a basketball with a pressure on the high end of what's legal and a basketball with a pressure on the low end of what's legal is certainly meaningful, but if players generally agree that a ball's pressure is either higher or lower than what they'd prefer (and I'm not talking about games of high enough level where game management specially prepares a ball for game use; I'm talking about games where we're asking a team for a ball to use during the game), I don't see any reason why we can't change one legal ball for another legal ball.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

No. The game of basketball is a lot more about touch and finesse than soccer. Slight changes in the ball, inflation, texture, weight, etc., even if all the changes are within the legal ranges, will have a bigger impact than the variations in a soccer ball within the legal ranges. Don't change the ball unless it is not legal.

Outdoor sports need to have multiple balls available. In football, each team will have multiple balls checked by the officials so as not to slow play down. There's no need for this in basketball.

[Coach Bill]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

No. The game of basketball is a lot more about touch and finesse than soccer. Slight changes in the ball, inflation, texture, weight, etc., even if all the changes are within the legal ranges, will have a bigger impact than the variations in a soccer ball within the legal ranges. Don't change the ball unless it is not legal.

This reminded me. We had an AAU game several years ago. The listed home team was to provide the ball. Our team had several good shooters while the other team had more of an inside game. The ball given by the home team (we were visitors) was extremely worn down. We complained, but the "home team" insisted on using that ball. We were playing by NFHS rules and the officials said that the ball was within legal range. Are there any rules regarding the condition of the ball? Thanks.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Coach Bill

This reminded me. We had an AAU game several years ago. The listed home team was to provide the ball. Our team had several good shooters while the other team had more of an inside game. The ball given by the home team (we were visitors) was extremely worn down. We complained, but the "home team" insisted on using that ball. We were playing by NFHS rules and the officials said that the ball was within legal range. Are there any rules regarding the condition of the ball? Thanks.

Yes.
1-12-1
1-12-1-b. It shall be spherical
12-1-c. It shall have a deeply-pebbled cover with horizontally shaped panels bonded tightly to the rubber carcass.
1-12-3
The home team shall provide a ball which meets the specifications. The referee shall be the sole judge of the legality of the ball and may select a ball provided by the visiting team.

So, I'm assuming by warn down, you mean 1-12-1c wasn't met (deeply-pebbled cover).

Problem is, "deeply-pebbled" is subjective, and if the R says it's good enough, there won't be much you can do about it at the time.

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by La Rikardo

When I first started officiating basketball, coming from my background in soccer, I was caught off-guard when we were given only one ball. In soccer, multiple balls usually end up being used in any given game. NCAA rules actually require a minimum of five balls. At the amateur level, it's not at all uncommon for a team to put a ball in play that we hadn't checked as the referee crew. Often times we'll hear one or several players complain that the ball is too hard/soft, in which case we'll check it at the next stoppage and replace it if necessary.

Only cuz you're relatively new to soccer - not that long ago that soccer only permitted one ball per game .... And you are, in soccer, required to check any ball to be used in the match. Getting sloppy?

[JRutledge]

I bring with me an air needle every time onto the court. The reason is because almost every time the ball they give us has more air than needed in the ball. I take it out even if I am not the Referee. I do the bounce test and take out air accordingly. I do not want long rebounds and want to help the ball go in the hole.

Problem solved.

Peace

[MathReferee]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I bring with me an air needle every time onto the court. The reason is because almost every time the ball they give us has more air than needed in the ball. I take it out even if I am not the Referee. I do the bounce test and take out air accordingly. I do not want long rebounds and want to help the ball go in the hole.

Problem solved.

Peace

Same here.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I bring with me an air needle every time onto the court. The reason is because almost every time the ball they give us has more air than needed in the ball. I take it out even if I am not the Referee. I do the bounce test and take out air accordingly. I do not want long rebounds and want to help the ball go in the hole.

Problem solved.

Peace

Bingo.

Amazing how basketballs are always overinflated and footballs are always underinflated.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Danvrapp

So had a game Tuesday where, halfway through the 2nd quarter, coach A1 comments about too much air in the ball, could we take some out? My partners and I discuss this during next TO, and after the 2nd quarter ends an end we notify both coaches we'll do it during halftime. For the record, the ball was probably bouncing either slightly high, yet in the acceptable range or--depending upon your view--slightly too high to be acceptable.

No one complained about the ball the entire 2nd half.

Here's the question: Is there anything against doing this mid-game? Was this a situation where we just tell the coach "This is what we started with, this is what we'll finish with." Since the R "verified" the game ball before the game began, is there any rule against swapping it out after the game begins?

For that matter, is there ever a time (for reasons that I can not currently think of) that you WOULD/COULD switch or alter the ball after the game began?

The Rules (NFHS and NCAA Men's & Women's) specify who determines the legality of the Game Ball: It is the Referee.

Once the Game Ball has been chosen by the R there is no need to change the Game Ball unless the Game Ball becomes non-legal. A Head Coach complaining about the Game Ball is no reason for the Game Ball to be changed.

MTD, Sr.